At exactly six in the morning, Michael was already awake.
Not because of anxiety.
Not yet.
Because Grace was landing.
Lucas, still half asleep, followed him into the hotel elevator with a coffee in one hand and his jacket thrown over his shoulder.
"You look too happy for this hour," Lucas muttered.
Michael smiled.
"My sister is coming."
"That explains it."
Outside, the morning air was just as cold as the night before.
Lucas rubbed his hands together.
Michael laughed.
"You're Chinese."
"And?"
"You should be used to the cold."
Lucas gave him a flat look.
"China and America have different attitudes toward winter."
Michael laughed all the way to the airport.
Grace appeared through the arrival gate a few minutes later.
The moment she saw Michael—
She dropped her bag.
And ran straight into his arms.
The hug was tight.
Long.
Real.
"I missed you," she whispered.
Michael held her just as tightly.
"I missed you too."
When they finally pulled apart—
Grace looked over his shoulder.
And smiled.
"Lucas."
Lucas stepped forward.
"Grace."
They hugged too.
A warm reunion.
No awkwardness.
No introductions needed.
She pulled back and looked at him carefully.
"You're still stealing my brother."
Lucas smiled.
"Still trying."
Grace laughed loudly.
"Good answer."
On the drive back, she spent the entire time teasing Michael.
"You look too happy."
Michael rolled his eyes.
"I am happy."
"That's obvious."
Grace leaned back dramatically.
"That's what love does."
Michael instantly blushed.
Lucas looked out the window, smiling to himself.
Back at the hotel, Grace met everyone.
Grandma hugged her warmly.
"I've heard so much about you."
"I only hope for good things."
Grandma smiled.
"Mostly."
Grace laughed.
Then Jasail stepped forward.
Very serious.
"Important question."
Grace folded her arms.
"I'm listening."
"Is Nigeria hotter than China?"
Grace blinked.
"Yes."
Jasail looked horrified.
"Then I'm never visiting."
The entire room exploded with laughter.
Grace immediately liked him.
Later that afternoon—
Michael's confidence finally began to crack.
It happened suddenly.
One minute he was fine.
The next—
He was pacing.
"What if I forget my words?"
Lucas looked up from the couch.
"You won't."
"What if I freeze?"
"You won't."
"What if I embarrass myself in front of everyone?"
Lucas stood.
He walked toward him.
Stopped directly in front of him.
"You won't."
Michael exhaled sharply.
"You sound very sure."
Lucas smiled.
"I am."
He gently pushed Michael into a chair.
"Practice."
"What?"
"Pretend I'm the audience."
Michael stared.
"You?"
"Yes."
Michael looked at him.
Then sighed.
And began.
But after two sentences—
he stopped.
Lucas raised an eyebrow.
"What?"
"You're distracting."
"How?"
"You keep looking at me like that."
"Like what?"
"Like…" Michael stopped.
Lucas leaned closer.
"Like I'm in love with you?"
Michael's ears turned red.
"Yes."
Lucas laughed.
"Continue."
Unfortunately—
The family heard that.
And decided they could help too.
Which was a terrible idea.
Ten minutes later—
Everyone was in the living room.
Michael standing.
Speech paper in hand.
Grandma sat upright.
"Louder."
Jasail raised his hand.
"Add jokes."
Grace shook her head.
"Don't cry too early."
Lina laughed.
Daniel looked far too serious.
"Control your pace."
Michael stared at all of them.
"This was a mistake."
"It was," Lucas whispered.
But everyone continued anyway.
And somehow—
It helped.
Because laughter made the fear smaller.
Then Michael's phone rang.
His parents.
Video call.
Everyone gathered immediately.
Michael answered.
His mother appeared first.
Then his father.
Michael smiled warmly.
"Mum. Dad."
His mother's face softened.
"You look well."
"I am."
His father nodded.
"You look older."
Michael laughed.
"I'll take that as a compliment."
Then Michael turned the camera.
"Mum, Dad… meet everyone."
He introduced them one by one.
His mother greeted Grandma warmly.
Grandma waved proudly.
Jasail immediately leaned toward the screen.
"Hello! I'm Jasail and I finished my food yesterday."
Nobody knew why that was his introduction.
His father laughed for the first time.
"Good boy."
Jasail looked proud.
Then they greeted Lucas.
A brief silence followed.
Michael noticed.
But his mother simply smiled softly.
"Take care of our son."
Lucas answered gently.
"With my life."
Michael looked down quickly.
His throat is tightening.
Then his father nodded.
A quiet approval.
Not dramatic.
But real.
And that meant everything.
Later, Daniel pulled Michael aside.
Away from the noise.
Away from the family.
Just mentor and student.
"You're still nervous."
Michael sighed.
"That obvious?"
"Yes."
Daniel smiled softly.
Then said:
"Don't speak to impress them."
Michael listened.
"Speak the truth."
A pause.
"Truth always wins."
Michael exhaled slowly.
And felt lighter.
"Thank you."
Daniel squeezed his shoulder.
"You already know what to say."
That evening—
Michael tried on his graduation outfit.
The mirror reflected someone different.
Older.
Stronger.
More certain.
Lucas stood behind him quietly.
Then stepped forward.
Holding the gold watch.
He took Michael's wrist gently.
Then fastened it there.
And whispered:
"Wear this tomorrow."
Michael looked at him.
"Why?"
Lucas smiled softly.
"So I can be part of your victory."
Michael's eyes burned again.
He nodded.
Unable to speak.
Later that night—
Lucas disappeared.
Michael assumed work.
But instead—
Lucas had invited Grace and Lina to a quiet restaurant nearby.
When he told them why—
Both women screamed.
"You're proposing?!" Lina whispered loudly.
"Finally," Grace said.
Lucas laughed nervously.
"I'm serious."
"We know," Grace replied.
He looked down.
"What if he says no?"
Both women immediately went silent.
Grace reached for his hand.
"Lucas."
He looked up.
"My brother crossed continents for you."
Lina nodded.
"He already chose you."
Lucas swallowed hard.
"I just want it to be perfect."
Grace smiled.
"It doesn't need to be perfect."
Lina added:
"It needs honesty."
Then they began planning.
Locations.
Timing.
Words.
Grace finally leaned back and said:
"Do not overtalk."
Lucas blinked.
"What?"
"Speak from your heart."
Lina nodded.
"That's what he fell in love with."
Lucas smiled.
And for the first time—
felt ready.
Much later—
Lucas returned.
Michael noticed immediately.
"You look different."
Lucas smiled.
"Do I?"
"Yes."
They went for a walk outside.
The city was quieter now.
Lights glowing softly.
Michael looked ahead.
"I'm scared."
Lucas nodded.
"Good."
Michael looked at him.
"Good?"
Lucas smiled.
"Great moments should scare you."
Michael laughed softly.
"That sounds wise."
"It is."
Michael didn't realize—
Lucas wasn't only talking about graduation.
Before bed—
Michael stepped onto the balcony alone.
The city stretched beneath him.
Bright.
Alive.
He closed his eyes.
And whispered upward:
"Thank you."
Two simple words.
But they carried everything.
The next morning—
there was a knock on the hotel door.
Michael frowned.
Too early.
He opened it.
And froze.
His suitcase dropped from his hand.
Because standing there—
smiling nervously—
were his mother and father.
Michael's lips parted.
No sound came out.
Then his mother opened her arms.
And that was all it took.
He broke.
"Dad…"
"Mum…"
And stepped into their embrace.